The United States has taken action against a network of three individuals associated with the expanded activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on the African continent. These individuals serve as key financiers and trusted operatives, enabling ISIS activities across Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. They also act as critical links between ISIS operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Somalia, and South Africa, allowing ISIS leadership to leverage each affiliate’s capabilities to conduct terrorist attacks that undermine regional peace and security.

“Today’s action underscores the crucial work of the Counter ISIS Finance Group and the importance of effective information sharing among Coalition countries to target ISIS’s facilitation networks,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “While we have made considerable progress over the nearly ten years since the establishment of this working group, we must all remain vigilant because ISIS continues to develop new financial methods. The United States, in close coordination with our key partners, remains committed to disrupting the key nodes that enable disparate ISIS groups to work together and their ability to finance the group’s terrorist activities.”

This action is part of the United States’ commitment to the mission of the Counter ISIS Finance Group (CIFG), which is holding its 20th meeting today to further international efforts to curb ISIS financing worldwide. The CIFG is a working group within the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which includes over 80 countries and international organizations.

Today’s designations aim at addressing the threat posed by ISIS to regional security in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. The Treasury has previously targeted South Africa-based ISIS operatives and financial facilitators in March 2022 and November 2022, as well as a key Somalia-based finance official in July 2023. The individuals sanctioned today are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended.

Abubakar Swalleh is a South Africa- and Zambia-based operative involved in transferring funds from South Africa to DRC and facilitating movement between Uganda and South Africa. Mohamed Ali Nkalubo relies on Swalleh for moving funds and recruiting members for DRC's affiliate. Zayd Gangat is a South Africa-based facilitator and trainer involved in generating funds through robbery, extortion, and kidnap-for-ransom operations.

Hamidah Nabagala serves as an intermediary for financial flows in central Africa. She has been accused of funding an October 2021 bombing in Kampala that killed one person and injured three others. Ugandan authorities arrested an operative funded by Nabagala in 2021.

As a result of today’s action, all property interests belonging to these individuals or entities they control must be blocked if under U.S jurisdiction or possession by U.S persons. OFAC regulations generally prohibit dealings involving any property interests of designated persons by U.S persons or within U.S territory.

Engaging with these designated individuals may risk secondary sanctions under E.O. 13224. OFAC can impose strict conditions on foreign financial institutions knowingly conducting significant transactions on behalf of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

OFAC sanctions aim not only at designation but also at potential removal from sanction lists upon compliance with legal standards. For information concerning removal processes from OFAC lists including SDN List procedures refer to OFAC guidelines.

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